Hayford upbeat about Kotoko's Africa chance

Accra, Sept 28, GNA - Kumasi Asante Kotoko's Head Coach, Bashir Hayford has expressed optimism of his Club's chances in the CAF Confederation Cup Championship.

Kotoko, losing finalists in the maiden edition of the tournament in 2004, are stucked at the bottom of Group B, courtesy superior goal difference, but Hayford told GNA Sports his side's chances are bright. Kotoko would host Tunisian giants Etoile du Sahel next Saturday in a must-win penultimate clash.

Hayford said; "Etoile is a strong side but we can beat them. They beat us 2-0 in Sousse and we can do same in Kumasi come Saturday." The Kotoko Coach was the least worried about his side's 0-1 loss to Kpando Heart of Lions last Saturday in the last group clash of the Glo Top Four, and said: "It served as a good preparation for our match against Etoile. We had already qualified for the final and wanted to try out some tactics ahead of Saturday's game."

The Ghanaian champions would be without midfielder Jordan Opoku due to suspension but Hayford said his absence would do little to affect their quest for the maximum points against the Tunisian side, winners of the competition in 2005. Kotoko needs to win by a wide margin to remain in the hunt for a repeat of the 2004 feat, when they lost out to archrivals Hearts of Oak in the final. The top placed Club after the round robin would meet the winner of Group B in the grand finale. 28 Sept. 08